Attack on synagogue in NRW: investigators suspect antisemitic motive

Arson Attack on Synagogue: Investigators in Wuppertal Suspect Antisemitic Motive

An arson attack has been carried out on the synagogue of the Jewish Cultural Community in Wuppertal. A man of Afghan origin was arrested. Investigators are assuming an antisemitic motive.

As early as Thursday evening, the suspected perpetrator made initial statements to police that pointed "clearly in the direction of an antisemitic motive," Wuppertal's chief public prosecutor Wolf Tilmann Baumert told WDR. The fact that it was a synagogue that was attacked also supports the conclusion that the act was antisemitically motivated.

Shock, Horror, Sympathy

This is the essence of many messages directed to the Jewish Cultural Community in Wuppertal since the attack. Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said the timing of the attack was not chosen by chance. In three days, the highest Jewish holiday Yom Kippur begins.

What deeply disturbs me is the composure with which the perpetrator in Wuppertal carried out this attack in broad daylight. There is no trace of a sense of wrongdoing or shame. This conduct bears witness to the progressive normalization of hatred of Jews, to which our society has so far found no answer.

Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany

Many Reactions Also from Local Politics in the Bergisches Land Region

Reactions to the attack on the Wuppertal synagogue also came from local politics. Wuppertal's Mayor Miriam Scherff took a clear stance against violence and antisemitism: "It is very despicable that something like this happens, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms," reads a press release.

Spontaneous Vigil in Front of the New Synagogue in Wuppertal-Barmen

On Thursday evening, around 30 people gathered, including representatives of many parties and faiths, for a spontaneous vigil at the scene of the attack. Similar events are also planned for this morning in the Wuppertal district of Barmen.

One cannot be completely surprised, because we have a great many antisemitic acts across all of Germany. But that it happens here in Wuppertal, and happens again, leaves me speechless. And truly angry and appalled.

Helge Lindh, SPD Member of the Bundestag

Dilek Engin, SPD Wuppertal (left), and Helge Lindh, SPD Member of the Bundestag (center)

Mosque Communities Stand in Solidarity with the Jewish Community

The representative body of Wuppertal mosques has sharply condemned the attack on the Wuppertal synagogue in a letter to the members of the Jewish Cultural Community Wuppertal and expressed its solidarity with the Jewish community. The Muslim communities emphasize therein that nothing can justify an attack on a house of worship.

At the same time, they call on people not to allow themselves to be divided by conflicts outside of Germany. An attack on a synagogue is always also an attack on peaceful coexistence and religious freedom in Wuppertal.

We, the Wuppertal mosques and their members, condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. Our solidarity and our sympathy go out to you and to the entire Jewish community in our city.

Mohamed Abodahab, Chairman of the Representative Body of Wuppertal Mosques, and Samir Bouaissa, Chairman of the NRW State Association of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany

The Wuppertal Ditib community also expressed solidarity on social media. "We must not allow antisemitism, anti-Muslim racism or religious hostility to divide our society," reads a post on Instagram.

Catholic city church calls for unity after attack

The Catholic city church of Wuppertal also reacted with dismay to the arson attack and expressed its solidarity with the Jewish community.

City Dean Bruno Kurth and the chairwoman of the Catholic Council, Barbara Reul-Nocke, described the act as an expression of antisemitism and hatred of Jews. They emphasized that Jewish life is firmly part of Wuppertal, and called on citizens to stand together against hatred and to protect peaceful coexistence in the city.

Remembrance of earlier arson attack on Wuppertal synagogue

A similar attack using homemade incendiary devices on the synagogue had already occurred twelve years ago. On that occasion too, the damage was minor. The perpetrators, three young Palestinians, were sentenced to prison terms, among other things for attempted aggravated arson.

Ruth Yael Tutzinger also spoke in a WDR interview. She is honorary chairwoman of the Jewish Cultural Community in Wuppertal. The 95-year-old Jewish woman also senses a renewed growth of antisemitism in the city.

Ruth Yael Tutzinger

The images from back then naturally come back to me. After all, I was 13 years old when the Second World War ended. So I already knew what was going on.

Ruth Yael Tutzinger, Honorary Chairwoman of the Jewish Cultural Community in Wuppertal

Growing hatred of Jews

In her conversation with WDR, Ruth Yael Tutzinger struggles to hold back tears. She reports of a steadily growing hatred of Jews. There are many hostile reactions from people who do not know any Jews at all.

There are Holocaust survivors who receive death threats. I ask myself: What kind of lunatics are out there? It is truly frightening. All of this affects me deeply.

Ruth Yael Tutzinger, Honorary Chairwoman of the Jewish Cultural Community in Wuppertal

Wuppertal synagogue guarded around the clock

According to initial investigations, a 37-year-old suspect of Afghan origin allegedly attempted to start a fire at a side entrance of the synagogue. According to police, employees of the synagogue were able to extinguish the fire quickly, and the material damage is minor.

The synagogue is guarded virtually around the clock by police officers, which may be why the suspect was quickly identified. The police intend to release details about the alleged perpetrator during the course of the day.

Police are also searching for two young women who were in the vicinity of the synagogue at the time of the incident. Investigators are asking any further witnesses who could provide information about the sequence of events to come forward.

Our sources:

- News agency KNA

- Wuppertal Police

- Jewish Cultural Community Wuppertal

- WDR on-site reporter

- WDR interview with Ruth Yael Tutzinger

Broadcast: WDR.de, Man threw bag of flammable liquid at synagogue, 17.09.2026, 6:15 p.m.